29 Feb 2000 - Monty Brett initiates tour guide training for wetland bird sanctuary
BATTLING poverty and ignorance, the Free State town of Memel is trying to realise its tourism potential, investing its hopes in the spectacular birdlife in the nearby Seekoeivlei wetlands, a birdwatchers' paradise equal to the world's best.
The wetlands are the largest in South Africa, and a number of endemic species, such as Botha's Lark Buff, Streaked Chat and Black Harrier, are found only in the high grasslands of South Africa.
To draw the unemployed residents of Memel's Zamani township into this initiative, the editor of The Star, Peter Sullivan, himself a birder of note, contacted our Monty Brett in January last year to run a novice bird identification programme.
The number of participants was limited to 50, and Liberty Life contributed the funds to supply each student with the books, notes and tapes they needed.
The course culminated on 1 April 2000 when 50 certificates were awarded to Zamani residents. The top four students will go on to phase two, a nature conservation course run by Birdlife South Africa in Wakkerstroom.
"Everyone, including the mayor, worked extremely hard and progressed to a level that surpassed my expectations," says Monty.
"This is another development in Agred's education effort which targets the non-consumptive as well as the consumptive use of natural resources.
"Memel will be a superb venue for international birdwatchers, and the guides I have trained will make this experience much more enjoyable."
If funding logjams can be overcome and development in the wetlands becomes a reality, it will be a rare chance for the whole community to enjoy the fruits of tourism.
There is also excellent waterfowl shooting on surrounding farms that is conducted in a most responsible manner.
Published in African Gamebird, AGRED Newsletter Autumn 2000
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